Geographical Origins in Early Massacoh (later Simsbury), Connecticut

In the 1640's, when John Griffin and Michael Humphrey first crossed
the Farmington River at "The Falls," they were searching
for virgin pine forest where they could pursue their tar and pitch business.
What
they found was a verdant valley bounded by two low mountain ranges, rich
with fish and wildlife. The native Massacoe Indians, of the Algonquin
Nation,
had lived off the bounty of the rich land and flowing river.

The Halfway Covenant

Full membership in the tax-supported Puritan Church, including baptism and voting rights, required an account of a "conversion experience." The testimonies of second and third-generation descendents were weaker, and they often could not meet this requirements.

The "Halfway Covenant" was an expedient
adopted by state-endorsed Congregational churches
of New England between 1657 and 1662. Under its
terms, baptized persons of moral life and orthodox
belief might receive the privilege of baptism for
their children and other church benefits, without
the full enrollment in membership which admitted
them to the communion of the Lord’s Supper.(2)

The "Halfway Covenant" was not honored by
the minister in Windsor and drove many to seek a more welcoming faith in the
verdant Farmington River Valley. The settlement at Massacoh (as Simsbury was
known until 1670) brought together many families whose descendants still live
in the area.

Between 1648 and 1661, Indian lands were gradually deeded over to the
Englishmen. In 1670, the Massacoh Plantation came to be named "Simsbury",
probably after Symondsbury, Dorset, England. Many of the earliest English
settlers came from Dorset, including Thomas Ford, the first to clear land
and farm here.

The first land grant in Massacoh (later Simsbury) was in 1667. Of the
thirty in all who had grants we find in Weatouge (a district), Joseph
Phelps, the son of William Phelps
the immigrant.

Simsbury Burned

On 13th March, 1676, it was ordered by the General Court that the people
of Simsbury remove to the neighboring settlements or plantations with
their cattle and valuables, and soon after their buildings were burned
by the Indians. This took place Saturday, 26th March, 1676.(1)

Says Phelps the Historian: "The ruin was complete. Nothing but desolation
remained. During all the Indian wars before and since this event, no destruction
of all English settlement in New England has taken place, in which the
ruin was more extensive or more general than this conflagration."

A neighboring mountain overlooking Simsbury was then called "Phelps Mountain," because
Mr. Phelps owned lands on it, and where it is supposed the native American leader Metacomet, also known as "King Philip" was
then encamped, overlooking and gloating in the destruction he had
caused. It is called the Metacomet Ridge today.

Early in 1676, the danger being over, most of the settlers returned.
May 4th, 1677, we find Joseph Phelps, with nine others, petitioning the
General Assembly for assistance in taxing, on account of loss caused by
the Indians, which was partially granted.

The War of the Revolution had a profound effect on the Town. Nearly 1,000
Simsbury residents, more than in any other war, served in the Revolution.
One hundred Simsbury soldiers engaged in the Battle of Bunker Hill. Noah
Phelps was the most noted hero, as it was his spying which led to the
capture of Fort Ticonderoga by Ethan Allen and his Green Mountain Boys.

"May 7th 1683, we find Joseph Phelps with thirty-one others, in
all thirty-two (probably the voters of Simsbury at that time), signing
a paper, the substance of which was that they not agreeing on a spot for
locating their Meeting House, there being two places selected. It was
decided to cast lots, and Gov. John Talcott and Capt. John Allyn were
chosen to do this. Their action is thus described in the History of Simsbury.
"

"May 8th, 1683, the above written agreement of ye above sides is
well approved by John Talcott, John Allyn."

At a solemn meeting May 24th, 1683, "where as there is two papers putt
in ye hatt, one east and ye other for ye west of the River, for ye decision
of ye two places formerly mentioned. It is now agreed that ye first paper
that is drawn shall be ye last. This voted, the lot that came forth was
for ye west side of ye River." 1

Phelps Land Grants in Simsbury

The archives of the Simsbury Historical Society contains a manuscript written
in 1810 by the then Town Clerk, Benjamin Ely. It is a record of the names
and amounts of land granted to Simsbury inhabitants in 1723. The Phelps
grantees are listed below.

At a town
meeting of the inhabitants of Simsbury regularly convened January
the second 1723 the said town granted to the several persons
hereafter named the quantities of land hereafter exprefsed.

Ensign Phelps 300 acres

Joseph Phelps junr 136 acres

Timothy Phelps 160 acres

Nathaniel Phelps 40 acres

"January the second 1723 the above sums
to the men there named was voted in the affirmative and the remaining
land to be divided by the same proportions. A true Copy of Records
Examined by Benjamin Ely Town Clerk Simsbury Nov 19th 1810 Book
3rd page 24th & onwards. Fees - 40 Cents"